Go shopping in 2009 in California for a new car and you’ll notice some new information on the smog index window sticker. Next to the smog score will be a global warming score. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is putting the finishing touches on the program. You can see some of the details in the presentation from their last meeting.

According to CARB, approximately 13 states have thus far adopted the California’s Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) regulations, which requires the smog labels. At least eleven of those states, including New York, Connecticut, Oregon, and Washington are likely to adopt the new global warming labels.

Vehicles are assigned a score of 1 to 10 based upon their emissions, with 1 for the worst, and 10 for the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. However, calling it a “Global Warming Score” and having 10 be the best is likely to cause some confusion. Perhaps “Planet Saver Score” would be better?

Too much information! I’d prefer a single environmental score that encompasses both criteria pollutant and GHG emissions. Otherwise, I fear the consumer will either ignore the extra numbers (this is even in addition to the national FE label, correct?) and / or be confused about whether to go for a higher GHG or air pollution score.